Ask AI: what is the next number in the sequence of 16, 11, 8.5, 7.25, ??

Let's analyze the sequence: **16, 11, 8.5, 7.25, ??** Let’s look at the differences between the terms: - 16 → 11 = **-5** - 11 → 8.5 = **-2.5** - 8.5 → 7.25 = **-1.25** You can see that each time, the difference is divided by 2: - -5 / 2 = -2.5 - -2.5 / 2 = -1.25 **Assuming the pattern continues** (divide previous difference by 2): - Next difference: -1.25 / 2 = **-0.625** So, next term: - 7.25 + (-0.625) = **6.625** **Therefore, the next number is:** > **6.625**

The pattern seems to be decreasing by gradually smaller amounts each time. To calculate the difference between each value in the sequence: Between 16 and 11 there is a difference of -5. Between 11 and 8.5 there is a difference of -2.5. Between 8.5 and 7.25 there is a difference of -1.25. The difference itself appears to be halving each time. So, considering the pattern, the next difference should be -1.25/2 = -0.625. So, the next number in the sequence should be 7.25 - 0.625 = 6.625.